Magnesium, Part II

By G. Douglas Andersen, DC, DACBSP, CCN

How important is magnesium? Last month we reviewed 46 conditions which a magnesium deficiency may cause or exacerbate. Without magnesium, life on this planet would be quite different, if it existed at all.

The magnesium present in chlorophyll (the substance that gives plants their green color) enables plants to synthesize glucose and oxygen from sunlight and water, and carbon dioxide from photosynthesis.1

RDA Tables2

Category

Age

Magnesium (in milligrams)

Infants

0-6 months

40

6-12 months

60

Children

1-3 years

80

4-6 years

120

7-10 years

170

Males

11-14 years

270

15-18 years

400

19+ years

350

Females

11-14 years

280

15-18 years

300

19+ years

280

Pregnant Women

320

Lactating Women

1st 6 months

355

2nd 6 months

340

Top Food Sources1

Magnesium (mg per 3 1/2 ounce serving)

Wheat bran

597

Wheat germ

364

Sesame seeds

347

Poppy seeds

320

Brazil nuts

318

Soybean flour

310

Almonds

293

Cashews

267

Molasses

258

Peanuts

175

Whole wheat flour

150

Oat flour

110

Beet greens

106

Spinach

104

Formulations

There are many formulations of magnesium available in the marketplace. The most common form is magnesium oxide. It is insoluble in water and, therefore, may not be absorbed in persons with gastrointestinal disorders, including hypoacidity. Magnesium acetate, aspartate, citrate, gluconate, and glycinate are all well absorbed.3 There are not many studies comparing different forms of magnesium head to head. If a patient is displaying signs and symptoms of a magnesium problem and does not respond to supplementation after six weeks, try a different brand and a different form of magnesium for another month before you decide your suspicion of a magnesium problem was incorrect.

Interactions

Diets high in the following substances may inhibit the absorption and/or increase the excretion of magnesium: alcohol, caffeine, fat, phosphorus, and sugar. Excessive calcium consumption may also exacerbate a magnesium deficiency. Make sure that your patients who are taking high levels of calcium for disorders (such as osteoporosis) are ingesting or supplementing with adequate levels of magnesium. There are many drugs which can interact with magnesium: the most commonly used are antibiotics, diuretics, insulin; they may affect magnesium levels. The following will stimulate magnesium absorption: meals, vitamin D, vitamin B6.4

Objective Testing

We definitely lack a gold standard in determining magnesium levels with laboratory testing. This was most evident in a recent study last year on magnesium levels in males with angina. The authors who performed the study used five tests (erythrocyte, mononuclear, 24-hour, serum, and urine) to determine magnesium levels.5

Mononuclear Blood Cell Magnesium

Serum Magnesium

Hair Magnesium

Ionized Magnesium

determined by a nonmagnetic resonance ion-selective electrode specific for magnesium;

May solve laboratory diagnostic problems, but requires more studies to confirm.

Dosing

The average dietary intake of magnesium by healthy adults in the United States ranges from 143- 266mg per day,6 which is easily below the RDA. To dose magnesium, a vitamin supplement with RDA levels is generally appropriate. A more exact supplementation can be based on body weight: healthy patients receiving 3 mg of magnesium per pound of body weight; and patients who are being treated for magnesium-related disorders at a level of 6mg per pound of body weight.6

Comments are encouraged, but you must follow our User Agreement
Keep it civil and stay on topic. No profanity, vulgar, racist or hateful comments or personal attacks. Anyone who chooses to exercise poor judgement will be blocked. By posting your comment, you agree to allow MPA Media the right to republish your name and comment in additional MPA Media publications without any notification or payment.